Grade-finder.



E. W. NEPF. GRADE FINDER. APPLICATION FILED 313.19, 191s.

Patented June 23, 1914.

STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EDWIN WALLACE NEFF, OF MUNICH, GERMANY.

GRADE-FINDER.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWIN WALLACE Nun, a citizen of the United States, residing at Munich, Germany, have invented new and useful Improvements in Grade-Finders, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to grade finders and more particularly to devices of this character adapted for use in connection with automobiles and like vehicles, whereby the grade up or down which the machine is traveling may be readily determined.

One of he objects of the invention is to provide a simple and efiicient device of this character which maybe adjusted so as to accommodate the device to surfaces which are not level.

Another object ofthe invention is the pro vision of a device of this character so constructed as to prevent vibration of the bulb and thereby to produce an instrument which will show an accurate reading of the grade up which or down which the vehicle is traveling.

Further objects of this invention will appear as the following specific description is read in connection with the accompanying drawing which forms a part of this appli cation, and in which Figure l'is a top plan view. Fig. 2 is a side elevation. Fig. 8 is a transverse sectional view.

Referring more particularly to the drawing 1 represents a base of any suitable character preferably in the form shown and having hinged at one end a casing 2 provided with an extension for this purpose. The opposite end of the casing is also provided with an extension 3 having a centrally arranged threaded aperture 4 adapted to receive the adjusting screw 5 which is threaded thereinto and has a ball and socket connection 6 with the base, the upper end of the screw being provided with a milled button or head 7 by which the same may be manipulated. The upper face of the casing is formed on the arc of a circle as shown at 8 and has a longitudinal slot 9 extending throughout the major portion of its length Copies of this patent may be obtained for I Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed February 19, 1913.

Patented June 23, 1914.

Serial No. 749,502.

so as to expose a glass tube 10 curved to conform to the upper face of the casing. This tube contains either a dense oil or mercury and moving within the tube is a glass bulb 11 which may either surround a vacuum or be slightly weighted in accordance with the fluid used in the tube. The bulb is provided with a cross line 12 dividing the same in half and adapted to coact with suitable graduations l3 and a scale 14 the latter being a scale of proportions. The base is mounted upon the floor of an automobile or any other suitable part of the vehicle and the casing is adjusted as will be readily understood to bring the cross line on the bulb to zero degrees on the scale, this is done, of course, when the vehicle is on level ground and preferably when loaded so that a perfectly accurate reading may be had. By constructing the device in this manner with the glass bulb in the dense oil or mercury the vibrations of the machine are not as active to control the movement of the bulb as where an air bulb is employed which vibrates violently and frequently breaks up.

WVhatis claimed is 1. A device of the class described comprising a base, a curved level tube connected to the base and containing a dense fluid, said level tube having graduations associated therewith, and a glass bulb movably mounted in the level tube and having a cross line to coact with the graduations.

2. A device of the class described comprising a base, a curved level tube connected to the base and containing a dense fluid, said level tube having graduations associated therewith, a glass bulb movably mounted in the level tube and having a cross line to coact with the graduations, and means to cause relative movement between one end of the tube and the base.

In testimony whereof I aiiiX my signature in presence of two witnesses.

EDWIN WVALLACE NEFF.

Witnesses FRITZ NOEKANER, TI-IEO. TECHNER.

Washington, D. C. 

